Broadly speaking, I am interested in the treatment of mood and personality disorders, both in younger and older adults. This interest breaks down into two lines of research. In the first line of research, I have worked on the development and adaptation of treatments. For example, some of the work I have done involves adapting Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to treat older adults with depression and co-morbid personality pathology. Based on this work, I am currently working on determining whether some of these adaptations might be applicable to other disorders and psychiatric presentations. In the second line of research stemming from this broad interest, I am working to identify constructs that either facilitate or complicate the course of treatment. For example, I am interested in how flexible emotion regulation patterns are associated with psychopathology presentations. In an iterative fashion, findings from this line of research inform potential developments or adaptations for treatment outcome research. 

In a related area, I am also interested in human strengths and flourishing. I have done several research projects examining the construct of hope and how hope is related to mood and psychological well-being, particularly in the context of treatment. Recently, my colleagues and I developed a hope-based treatment and a flourishing intervention to determine whether or not strengths can be imparted in a therapy context. I plan to continue these and related projects. I think that as clinical scientists we can learn much from those in our midst who are functioning well. My hope is to be able to translate these lessons learned to a therapeutic context. 

Awards and Honors  

• 2024: Joan N. Huber Faculty Fellow Award in Social and Behavioral Sciences, The Ohio State University
• 2023: The Sister Accord Leadership Award, The Sister Accord
• 2019: George Vaillant Award for Contributions in Positive Clinical Psychology, Clinical Psychology Division of the International Positive Psychology Association
• 2018: Spotlighted Mentor Award, Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies
• 2017: Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching, The Ohio State University
• 2009-2010: Psychology Teaching Excellence Award, The Ohio State University Department of Psychology
• 2009-2012: Clinical Loan Repayment Program Award, NIMH
• 2004: Summer Research Institute in Geriatric Psychiatry Fellow, UCSD and NIMH
• 2000: David Schulman Award for Excellence in Clinical Psychology, University of Kansas Department of Psychology
• 1996: University Fellowship, University of Kansas

Selected Publications 

• Cheavens, J. S., Feldman, D., Gum. A., Michael, S. T., & Snyder, C. R. (2006). Hope therapy in a community sample: A pilot investigation. Social Indicators Research, 77, 61 - 78.
   
• Cheavens, J. S. & Heiy, J. E.* (2011). The differential roles of affect and avoidance in major depressive and borderline personality disorder. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 30, 441 - 457.
   
• Cheavens, J. S., Rosenthal, M. Z., Banawan, S. F. & Lynch, T. R. (2008). Differences in emotional experience and emotion regulation as a function of age and psychiatric condition. Aging & Mental Health, 12, 478 - 487.
   
• Cukrowicz, K. C., Cheavens, J. S., Van Orden, K. A., Ragain, R. M., & Cook, R. L. (2011). Perceived burdensomeness and suicidal ideation in older adults. Psychology and Aging, 26, 331 - 338.
   
• Lynch, T. R., & Cheavens, J. S. (2008). Dialectical behavior therapy for comorbid personality disorders. Journal of Clinical Psychology: In Session, 64, 154- 167.
   
• Lynch, T. R., Rosenthal, M. Z., Kosson, D. S, Cheavens, J. S., Lejuez, C. W., & Blair, R. J. R. (2006). Heightened sensitivity to facial expressions of emotion in borderline personality disorder. Emotion, 6, 647 - 655.
   
• Rosenthal, M. Z., Gratz, K. L., Kosson, D. S., Cheavens, J. S., Lejuez, C. W., & Lynch, T. R. (2008). Borderline personality disorder and emotional responding: A review of the research literature. Clinical Psychology Review, 28, 75 - 91.